Changes

<br> A '''wikiWiki''' '''manual of style''' (or style guide) is a set of standards for the design and writing of wiki articles. The guide provides direction for visual and technical aspects as well as prose style, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and wiki etiquette. The consistent use of style guidelines provides uniformity in style and formatting of wiki articles, making them easier for readers to understand and utilize.

== General Principles ==

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==== '''Abbreviations'''<br> ====

Abbreviations, including US postal codes, should not be used in article titles or text because abbreviations can mean different things in different parts of the world. For example, the abbreviation CA could mean either California or Canada, depending on the reader's nationality.

For more information about naming conventions, see also [[Help:Naming conventions|Help:Naming Conventions]].

==== '''Italics''' ====

In a title, italicize only the titles of books and ships.<br>

Many URLs (website addresses) are long and not reader-friendly. For readability's sake, links should not include the full URL of the destination page. There may be extremely rare instances where displaying the full URL is desirable, but this should be the exception, not the rule, and should be done only if there is a compelling reason.<br>

===== '''Example 1: a link by itself''' =====

'''Correct:''' [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch]

::::Incorrect: For the Louisiana Territory, the United States paid France almost $190 million in today’s money.

== References to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ==

In compliance to the [https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/style-guide Style Guide] released 5 March 2019 regarding the official name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, references such as, "LDS" and "Mormon" have been removed from the FamilySearch Research Wiki except in the following instances:<br>

*Reference to Mormon when used in proper names such as the Mormon Battalion or when used as an adjective in such historical expressions as "Mormon Trail."

*To clarify to the general public that “Mormon Church” is referring to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a parenthetical reference will be made. Example, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church).

*Reference to other websites, databases, collections and books that include LDS or Mormon in the URL or title of the book, collection, organization or company. For example, LDS Genealogy website; Journals, Diaries, Biographies, Autobiographies and Letters of Some Early Mormons and Others Who Knew Joseph Smith, Jr. and/or His Contemporaries and LDS Family History Suite 2.

*Any Wiki pages that are the name of a class presented in the past or a handout previously created before the announcement, will remain as is.

*Any comments or questions should be directed to [mailto:wikisupport@familysearch.org wikisupport@familysearch.org]